Main menu

Marc Marquez was 1.5 seconds off the top time in opening free practice at Qatar. (Photo: Karim Jaafar/AFP/Getty Images)

The pressure is building on rookie record breaker Marc Marquez to become the first rider in five years to successfully defend the MotoGP world championship — and a pain-filled start to his campaign is not helping.

Marquez, 21, was an uncomfortable 11th fastest in the opening practice session for Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix, slowed by pain as he recovers from a broken leg suffered six weeks ago.

Hildebrand has competed against Ed Carpenter on the track before, but now, with the 2009 Indy Lights Championship and the 2011 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year to his name, Hildebrand’s resume has proven strong enough to land him a ride with a solid team again.

Lewis Hamilton has baulked at claims that a new guard is sweeping into power in Formula 1.

After the V6 era kicked off in Melbourne, podium debutant Kevin Magnussen was hailed as McLaren’s ‘new Hamilton,’ while fellow rookie Daniil Kvyat stood out as the next Red Bull-fueled talent in the Sebastian Vettel-like mould.

Daniel Ricciardo finished second in the opening F1 race of the season, but was disqualified by the stewards due to a fuel flow violation. (Photo: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Red Bull Racing has confirmed its intention to press ahead with its appeal against the exclusion of Daniel Ricciardo from the Australian GP.

Sometimes teams go through the motions of appealing in order to buy time on the Sunday night of a GP weekend, and then, on consideration of the facts and the chances of success, decide not to press ahead. Therefore, it’s clear that RBR is confident that it has a good case.

In September, when FIA’s new electric racing series kicks off, 20 drivers will take to the Beijing street circuit, with only Lucas di Grassi and Daniel Abt having confirmed rides. However, the ever-growing pool of drivers that the teams will have to choose from continues to boast some impressive names.